Denise Mills: Doula, Nurse, and Park Ranger
For a truly immersive and comprehensive experience, I am delighted to introduce you to Denise Mills—a remarkable individual whose diverse career spans nature conservation, healthcare, and birth support. With her extensive background and unwavering dedication, Denise offers unparalleled support to every family she serves.
Denise's professional journey commenced as a park ranger, fueled by her profound love for nature and a commitment to educating the younger generation. Her passion for the outdoors led her to roles as a camp director and environmental educator, where she inspired countless individuals to appreciate and preserve the natural world.
Transitioning into motherhood, Denise felt a calling toward the birthing community and began pursuing a path to become a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). During this period, she experienced a cesarean birth with her son, which reshaped her professional trajectory. Balancing the demands of new motherhood, she chose to channel her nurturing skills into a career as a Registered Nurse (RN), specializing in end-of-life care as a hospice nurse. This role honed her ability to provide compassionate support to both patients and their families during life's most challenging moments.
Denise's rich tapestry of experiences naturally led her to the realm of birth support. She embraced the role of a Certified Birth Doula, offering both birth and postpartum support. Her unique blend of medical expertise and deep empathy allows her to connect with families on a profound level, providing care that is both informed and heartfelt. Denise also serves as a nurse assistant to midwives in homebirth settings, further bridging the gap between medical and holistic care approaches.
In addition to her work in birth and end-of-life care, Denise has contributed her skills as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse at CooperRiis, a healing community in Asheville dedicated to mental health recovery. This experience has enriched her understanding of the emotional complexities families may face, enabling her to offer comprehensive support that addresses both physical and mental well-being.
Over the past decade, I have had the privilege of collaborating with Denise in various capacities. Her unwavering dedication to doula work has made her an invaluable asset to our community. Families are instinctively drawn to her calming presence, which exudes the warmth and wisdom reminiscent of a seasoned grandmother—offering guidance without judgment.
Denise's medical background equips her with a thorough understanding of medical procedures and terminology, instilling confidence in the families she supports. Her personal birthing experiences—a cesarean delivery in a hospital setting and an unmedicated home birth—provide her with a well-rounded perspective that resonates with diverse birthing preferences.
Having called the Western North Carolina mountains and Asheville home for the past 30 years, Denise maintains a deep connection to nature. To rejuvenate, she cherishes time with her family at the coast, often paddleboarding alongside dolphins around Edisto Island. This balance between her professional commitments and personal passions exemplifies her holistic approach to life and care.
Denise Mills's multifaceted career and compassionate spirit make her a cherished member of our community, offering unparalleled support to families during some of life's most pivotal moments.
